Vladlena Kukavitsa From Birobidzhan Again Convicted for Her Faith. This Time — 4.5 Years Suspended

Vladlena Kukavitsa, 35, has been defending her right to freedom of religion for 2 years, the last 7 months — at the retrial in the Birobidzhan District Court. Judge Olga Klyuchikova made the final decision on January 22, 2026.

The first verdict (6 years suspended) was overturned by the court of appeal. Vladlena was charged with involving others in the activity of an extremist organization and participating in it. The case of the believer, like dozens of similar ones throughout the country, was based on the testimony of an informant. Vladlena says that there were no expressions of extremism in her conversations with Zhukova-Suvorova, who turned out to be a secret agent. The conversations were friendly and focused on discussing Bible teachings, God's qualities, and prayer. The videos that were viewed in court showed how Vladlena encouraged the woman to show love to others, forgive and not hold a grudge.

After the liquidation of religious organizations and the beginning of actual persecution against Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia, Vladlena became anxious. "At first, it was difficult. I heard the news: in one place after another, law enforcement officers break into houses, conduct searches and arrest people," she says. "Sadly, some ended up behind bars. But I saw how they overcame it all. This strengthened me."

Still, the stress in connection with the criminal prosecution left its mark. "I needed to seek medical help repeatedly because the criminal prosecution affected my health. Now I am constantly taking medication," she said at one of the court hearings.

Vladlena expressed special gratitude to her mother for her support: "She is always by my side. She herself has had to go through searches and interrogation; she always accompanied me when I went to the investigator and waited on the street next to the FSB building while I was there." In October 2025, a criminal case was also initiated against Kukavitsa's mother, Yelena Shestopalova.

The family of Vladlena Kukavitsa is not the first to be in the focus of law enforcement officers. In Birobidzhan, alreadyeight families are being prosecuted for their faith in Jehovah God. This trend has been going on for years.